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One Note Samba in E
One Note Samba in E: Jobim's bossa nova gem oscillates between two adjacent chords with characteristic Lydian Dominant flavor. Dorian fits the minor moments while Major Pentatonic keeps the melodic lines light and playful. Chords: G#m7 – G7 – F#m7 – F7#11 – Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7 – D7 – E6 – Am7 – Gmaj7 – Gm7 – C7 – Fmaj7 – F#m7b5 – B7.
Key of E
E major is arguably guitar's most powerful key. The open low E and high E strings ring sympathetically as the root, while the open B provides the fifth. This triple reinforcement gives E-based riffs and chords unmatched depth and volume. E is a beginner-level key on guitar because both the low E and high E strings ring as the root, and the open B is the fifth — three open strings reinforce the tonic chord. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.
Voice Leading
The bass line moves through G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to F (descending half step), F to B (ascending tritone), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to E (ascending whole step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to G (ascending unison), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from B to G# by minor third.
Scales for Improvisation
E major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, E Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.